End-2015 rollout for new Russian chopper

SINGAPORE, February 12. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia will roll out the new multipurpose Kamov Ka-62 helicopter for delivery at the end of 2015, Helicopters of Russia official Nikolai Titov said at an international airshow in Singapore on Wednesday.

A maiden flight was planned for August this year, he said in comments from a technical presentation at the forum. In 2015, the helicopter would seek certification with the Interstate Aviation Committee and was expected to receive European flight worthiness approval in 2016.

The Arsenyevsk-based manufacturing plant in Russia's Far East already has several firm contract orders, for delivery with French Ardiden 3G engines from makers Turbomeca. Seven machines were destined for Brazil, with options for another seven placed by Brazilian commercial operator Atlas Taxi Aereo.

Colombia's Vertical de Aviacion has contracted for five machines, for 2016 delivery to the state's oil producer.